Equipment

Peterbilt Debuts New Vocational Truck, Interiors, Sleepers, More

LOUISVILLE -- Peterbilt made a slew of announcements Wednesday at the Mid-America Trucking Show, including a new version of one of its highway tractors and a new vocational model.

567 Vocational Truck

Peterbilt unveiled its all-new vocational Model 567, which it says the result of the most extensive product research and development in line-up of vocational vehicles.

At the core of the 567 is the durable, new aluminum cab that is stronger for long-lasting endurance and comes standard to meet severe-service requirements. Strategically placed steel reinforcements were designed to increase strength and optimize rigidity. The 567 cab endured rigorous testing at the Paccar Technical Center in Mount Vernon, Wash.

In addition to cab durability, the signature stainless steel oval mesh grille and surround provide protection from gravel and road debris. The new Metton hood, which is a tough and durable engineering plastic material, is highly resilient, absorbing many impacts that would shatter or crack other materials. The hood pivot system has a protection feature that directs energy around the cooling module in the event of an impact.

New headlamps on the new vocational Model 567.

The forward lighting system, says Peterbilt, is a proven design that significantly enhances down-road visibility and reduces driver fatigue. The headlamps feature projector module low beams, which have a 2,000 hour lifecycle, and complex reflector high beams. Peterbilt’s pod-mounted design helps protect the headlight from potential damage to the fender, common occurrences on congested jobsites.

It says maximum forward visibility is achieved through a panoramic windshield that features integrated locaters in the cab structure to allow for high-quality and time-efficient field repairs. A-pillars use strategically placed supports for added strength, allowing them to be 13% narrower than other designs, further enhancing visibility.

The 567 is available in two BBC configurations – the 121-inch and 115-inch – in a day cab or with a selection of detachable sleeper configurations—44, 70, and 80 inch.

The 567 can be spec’d with a wide variety of heavy-duty components and in a number of configurations for increased payloads and optimized weight distribution. It’s available in a set-back front axle configuration for increased maneuverability in congested worksites and with steer axle ratings up to 22,000 lbs. An angled steering gear installation further improves maneuverability by increasing wheel cut by up to 9 degrees over other designs, reducing curb-to- curb turning diameter by up to 9 feet.

The 567 features a chassis design that reduces weight for increased payload capacity, improves stiffness for an exceptional driving experience and improves maneuverability for operating in congested worksites. In addition, the chassis is 10% to 15% stiffer than comparable products improving ride and handling while reducing in-cab noise.

The chassis was also designed to consider the needs of service technicians and body manufacturers. Chassis system routing improvements include new air and fuel hard lines and the separation of key air, fuel, diesel exhaust fluid and electrical systems routings which significantly simplifies service, repair and body installation.

The Model 567 is standard with front air disc brakes. The standard electronic stability control system provides added stability and traction.

“A key consideration of the Model 567 design process is the driver-centric, roomy cab and sleeper environment,” said Sproull. “During our research and planning, we interviewed and surveyed hundreds of drivers about their preferences to ensure the 567 cab would provide operators with the most productive and comfortable operating environment.”

The new gauge panel is easy to read, completely visible through the steering wheel, and provides critical and functional information to the driver. The Model 567 also features a 5-inch color Driver Information Display. The display features important information including an engine-RPM sweet-spot indicator to help drivers maximize fuel economy. A secondary panel can house up to six optional gauges or, when specified, Peterbilt’s SmartNav audio and navigation system.

All controls and switches are placed within easy reach to minimize driver distraction. Switches are backlit for enhanced nighttime visibility. LED lighting throughout the cab provides a contemporary look and bulb life is 10 times greater than incandescent lighting and significantly lowers power consumption.

The 567 was designed to provide ease of serviceability and improve vehicle uptime. The electrical system features angled dress covers, providing added protection for electrical connections, and several routing troughs have been incorporated to define harness placements and ensure reliability.

The Metton hood opens a full 90 degrees for easier access to key service points so technicians can reach the cab electrical and air connections, air intake filter, A/C service ports, and cab fresh air filter, which are all firewall mounted for convenient access.

The 567 is available with the new Paccar MX-13 engine. Power offerings are expanded with the addition of a 500-horsepower rating with 1,850 pounds-feet of torque. The 567 is also available with the Cummins ISX15, proving up to 600 horsepower for heavy haul applications.

Model 579 Platinum Cab Interior.

New Version of Model 579

The Texas-based company announced a new mid-length version of its model 579 tractor. It said the lightweight 117-inch bumper-to-back-of-cab design offers excellent maneuverability and outstanding visibility while maintaining the model exceptional aerodynamic characteristics.

The new mid-length Model 579 can be configured as a day cab or with the full range of detachable Peterbilt sleepers. The 117-inch-BBC hood features a durable, low-cost-of-repair three-piece design. In addition, the Peterbilt stainless steel grille and chromed surround is designed to protect the cooling module from road debris.